Too Sleepy To Work? Social Security And Sleep Apnea
Posted on: 28 November 2018
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Lack of sleep can affect nearly every area of your life, including your work life. Sleep apnea is not a joke – it is a serious disorder with serious consequences. When work has been made impossible by this condition, you may be qualified for Social Security benefits. Read on to learn about how sleep apnea can cause you untold problems with your work life and how to get the Social Security benefits you need.
Why is Sleep Apnea Such a Problem?
Sleep apnea can be the side effect of medication or caused by many related disorders. One primary cause, however, it the lack of sleep at night. Continuous oxygen flow is important to a sound sleep. Snoring and other conditions can impair breathing and can lead to high carbon dioxide levels in the sufferer. Constant waking and the inability to attain the deepest level of rest can contribute to problems with staying awake during the day. Victims of sleep apnea can be drowsy, distracted, and irritable as a result of sleep deprivation. Unfortunately, the physical problems often don't stop there. High blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and congestive heart failure can sometimes occur as a result of sleep apnea.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Your Job?
You may already know about how this disorder makes it impossible to do your job, but qualifying for Social Security benefits requires that certain parameters be met. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses something called residual functioning capacity (RFC) to view how your disability directly affects your job tasks. The RFC compares the tasks you were doing in your most recent job to the ones you are still able to do now given your sleep apnea. For example, you may no longer be able to work at your drafting and design job, but is there any level of work that you can still do? The RFC also evaluates whether or not you can do other jobs. The jobs must be local and they must accommodate your disability. Sleep apnea disorders can cause widespread problems with almost any sort of work, but that is no guarantee that your benefits will be approved.
Improve Your Chances of Getting an Approval
There is much you can do in preparation for filling out your SSA application for benefits. The SSA wants to see medical proof of your diagnosis, so see a doctor and be ready to ask for copies of your medical records. It's vital that you have recent proof of your treatment for the disorder. File your application out accurately and completely and double-check dates, addresses, and the spelling of names.
Unfortunately, even if your application is letter-perfect, the SSA turns down many applicants. Be sure to speak to a Social Security disability lawyer for representation at your appeal hearing.